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Rim Country residents generously supported area students with nearly $300,000 in contributions to Arizona's Credit for Kids program in 2005.
Credit for Kids, created in 1997, allows single taxpayers to donate $200 or married, joint filers to donate $400 before Dec. 31 to the school or after-school program of their choice. Then, the filer may take the donation as a credit on his or her state income taxes.
"I am so grateful for people who give to the Credit for Kids program at Payson High School or any school," said PHS music teacher Larry Potvin.
"This is absolutely an investment in the future," said Payson Unified School District Superintendent Sue Myers. "The other exciting thing is that it is the one time you can tell your legislators exactly where you want your tax dollars to go."
Any amount is welcome and one does not have to have a student in school to donate to Credit for Kids.
New for PUSD in 2006 is the Fine Arts Fund, established for major acquisitions an co-curricular activities in music, drama and art.
"Ninety percent of the funds that come in are not earmarked for a particular activity," said Will Dunman, principal at Payson Elementary School.
Designations to a certain school are used for that school.
Funds that are designated by the taxpayer for a particular school's program -- such as the stadium project at Payson High School, field trips at Center for Success or after school activities at the elementary schools -- are used exclusively for that program.
The ongoing Stadium project at PHS began eight years ago with Credit for Kids money. Initially, the money was used to purchase new stands. Then, it was used to put in an all-weather track. Fields were upgraded with Credit for Kids dollars. Now, the all-weather track is due for an upgrade.
The Stadium project helps more than just its primary user. Middle and elementary students and Payson Parks and Recreation have used the field for events.
In fact, according to Potvin, a bigger track and could bring state marching band contests to the town. Those band students and their families would spend money in Payson on meals and lodging, adding dollars to the local economy.
"But other programs are in desperate need of funds," Potvin said.
For instance, it is tough for rural school bands to compete against schools of similar enrollment in the Valley because Valley schools have more money and newer equipment.
The two-decade-old band equipment and uniforms are at the end of their life at PHS and are in need of replacement.
Center for Success relies completely on Credit for Kids money to fund its career and cultural field trips.
"Our biggest goal this year is taking 30 students to Washington, D.C. in March," said the Center's principal, Kathe Ketchem. Math, reading social studies and history assignments in class are part of the $1,200 per student trip.
Frontier Elementary School has used its Credit for Kids money to fund two of the three teacher salaries in its music program -- choir, string and band.
Wolf Impressions, FES's after school arts program runs in fall and spring when there is money to pay for teachers and materials.
After school academic clubs and sports programs at Rim Country Middle School, Julia Randall and Payson elementary schools have similar needs for funding.
PUSD has a district goal of $300,000, which is $62,000 more than was donated last year.
Pine-Strawberry and Tonto Basin have their own school districts and their own set of goals.
"We were so fortunate to get the $56,000 last year and we would feel fortunate to receive or surpass that this year," said Mike Clark, principal of the Pine-Strawberry School.
Third- and fourth-graders at Pine/Strawberry elementary hope to go to Montezuma's Castle and other archaeological field trips.
With Credit for Kids money, they could buy books for the library club, replace sports equipment or add artificial turf to make the athletic field multipurpose.
Tonto Basin student athletes currently play on a dirt field.
We hope to modernize it by installing artificial turf and add new playground equipment, said principal John Ketchem.
"We also want everyone to know that you do not need to be a resident of Tonto Basin to contribute to Tonto Basin Elementary School," he said.
There is also a tax credit available to people who wish to contribute to Payson Community Christian School.
The law allows a married couple filing jointly to make a donation to the Arizona Christian School Tuition Organization, Inc. of up to $825. Single taxpayers may contribute up to $500.
Checks should be made payable to Credit for Kids and can be placed in APS drop boxes at Payson Town Hall. Indicate in the memo line of the check where you would like the funds to be used.
School needs/wants
Tonto Basin Elementary School
(928) 479- 2490
Student clubs
Academic enrichment programs
After-school tutoring
Student leadership programs
Student council during and after school
Educational field trips
Athletic programs.
Athletic field and playground
Rim Country Middle School
(928) 474-4511
Sports:
Cross country
Wrestling
Track
Football
Basketball
Volleyball
Softball
Fine Arts:
Band
Choir
Art
Strings
Junior Thespian Troupe
Student Leadership
Field Trips:
Colorado Float Trip
Music Field Trips
Positive Behavior Program:
Power Day
Assemblies:
Physical Fitness Awareness
Jump Rope Assembly
Clubs:
Builder's Club
Outdoor Adventure Club
FCCLA (homemaking arts)
Future Business Leaders of America
Academic League
Payson Unified School District
(928) 474-2070
Fine Arts Fund:
Musical instruments
District accompanist
Improved auditorium lighting
Good pianos at each school
Cultural trips
Stadium project
Frontier Elementary School
(928) 472-2052
After-school program
Field trips
Music and musical instruments
Assemblies
Center for Success
(928) 472-2011
Career field trips
Washington, D.C. field trip
Cultural field trips
Payson Elementary School
(928) 474-5882
Academic intervention
Enrichment programs
Science and cultural field trips
Individualized student instruction in computer
Materials for after-school programs
Band and string programs
Julia Randall Elementary School
(928) 474-2353
Choir/Band
After-school program
Pine-Strawberry Elementary
(928) 476-3583
Athletic/multipurpose field development
Library club
Field trips
Sports equipment
Student clubs
Fine arts programs
Student leadership programs
Physical education programs
Academic enrichment programs
Payson High School
(928) 474-2233
A+ Club
Achievement Club
Art
Band/Band uniforms and instruction
Baseball
Boys/girls basketball
Boys/girls soccer
Cheerleaders
Chorus/choir
Culinary arts
Drama
Future Business Leaders of America
FCCLA -- Strive
Future Farmers of America
Fitness Factor
Football
Golf
Hands Across the Border
Key Club
Math
National Honor Society
PHS Fine Arts
PHS Interact
Students Against Destructive Decisions
Ski and hike
Softball
Special ed/CBI
Speech and Debate
Ports uniforms and equipment
Strings
Student council
Track
Vica
Volleyball
Wrestlerettes/Wrestling
Wood shop
Shelby School
(928) 478-4706
Fine arts building renovation
Art supplies
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